amazon
2023 Vaya Photo Contest Winners
Vaya travelers are known for being genuinely curious and respectful, for delving into the destinations they visit with open hearts and open minds. This approach is reflected in their photographs – images brimming with warm human connection, responsible wildlife encounters, and breathtaking landscapes. That’s what makes judging Vaya’s annual photo contest so much fun. After… Read Full Post
2022 Vaya Photo Contest Winners
Nothing delights us more than receiving photos captured by our travelers throughout the year. Whether it’s up close encounters with wildlife, sunsets over remote and little visited corners of our natural world, or new friends made while traveling, your images transport us—and we look forward to seeing each and every one! To all of you… Read Full Post
Andes to the Amazon: a Journey That is All About the Journey
I really enjoy looking back at different trips I’ve planned for Vaya travelers. It’s amazing to see how some destinations have changed over the years, while others have remained largely untouched. For me, an incredible way to experience a place that has had minimal outside influence is on an overland trip to the Amazon. This… Read Full Post
Delfin Amazon Cruises becomes a Relais & Châteaux member
Delfin’s Amazon Cruises have long been one of Peru’s top offerings for exploring the Amazon rain forest. Their vessels allow you to immerse yourself in the jungle while still enjoying all that an upscale cruise can offer. Now, new for 2018, the Delfin Amazon Cruises have been listed as Relais & Châteaux members. What does… Read Full Post
Exploration of the Amazon River
The sun rose cotton candy pink as we cruised over the placid water of the Amazon. Even now I can imagine the scent of the river first thing in the morning, woody, earthy, damp. We were bird spotting, and we did catch sight of a few toucans, macaws, and herons. Even more exciting, though, was… Read Full Post
Grassroots Conservation at Paz de las Aves Bird Refuge in Mindo, Ecuador
Though Ecuador is a relatively tiny country, slightly smaller than the state of Nevada, it is home to a tremendous amount of biodiversity and natural beauty. From Marine Iguanas lounging on the volcanic Galapagos Islands off the Pacific Coast, to Andean Condors soaring over the central “Avenue of Volcanoes,” to Spider Monkeys hanging in the… Read Full Post
Pristine Peruvian Amazon: Manu
The Manu National Biosphere Reserve is a 2 million hectare park located in the Amazon basin of Peru. A large percentage of the park is protected and inaccessible to visitors but the areas that are accessible provide arguably the best wildlife viewing possibilities in Peru and the chance to experience primary rainforest. Access to Manu… Read Full Post
Zen Birding in South America – Macaws in Peru
While preparing for a recent trip to the Mindo Cloud Forest in Ecuador, one of the most bird species-rich areas of the world, with over 450 species of birds, I stumbled across a book by David M. White and Susan M. Guyette entitled Zen Birding which reminded me of my experiences with macaws in Peru. … Read Full Post
5 Amazon animal species
A trip to the Amazon is on many people’s bucket list, and with the variety of species on offer it’s no wonder why. Here’s a list of five animals that were highlights of my months in the jungle. (I’ve strategically left sandflies and mosquitoes off the list – the less said about them the better!)…. Read Full Post